X
“Unfortunately, I’ll hand the Legion captain position to Sung Jin-woo and form a different guild.”
“You crazy bastard… stop there. There’s a limit to crossing lines.”
Jin-woo clapped loudly over his head before Haejin could say anything crazier.
“Meeting over. Everyone got it? Anyone opposed—talk to Cha Hae-jin privately.”
They fled like escaping a fire. Once alone, Jin-woo asked what he’d really wanted.
“How’d you do it? No way Frame geezers just lent their names.”
“You said you didn’t want to hear.”
“Only said that so the kids wouldn’t be embarrassed.”
“Nothing much. They said core officers would attend meetings and see finances— so I told them to join battles too.”
Predictable reaction from fat-bellied politicians.
“They back down?”
“No—pride hurt, said they would. So I said I’d attend Frame meetings and check their books as Legion rep. Faces went white. Tails between legs instantly. Not too crazy, right?”
Jin-woo nodded repeatedly. For Haejin, this was almost… normal. No violence, property damage, fraud, or power flexing—miracle.
But the sanity worried him.
Calm before the storm…
He couldn’t ask. Haejin was pushing himself to death in battles and running Legion— all while pretending he was fine. No one could poke that wound.
Haejin nudged thoughtful Jin-woo.
“Stop worrying. The real crazy starts now.”
That’s more like it. Jin-woo felt oddly relieved, grabbed Haejin’s hand.
“I’m in this once. Don’t bottle it—let it out in moderation.”
Haejin smiled and nodded.
Two months later— Legion officially a guild. Haejin flaunted it, joining every battle big or small. Headquarters welcomed the security boost— but hated losing profits.
This morning’s headquarters meeting: how to handle it.
“This mess is all because of Director Kim Jung-mi’s personal greed.”
“Other awakeners are forming guilds too. Who takes responsibility?”
Kim Jung-mi ignored the blame-shifting—standard politics. But Haejin’s escalating madness? Unignorable.
If he actually finds that guide…
Damage done, goal failed—disaster. She rubbed her forehead—no solution.
Meanwhile— Haejin faced another Lamia. First fight was hard without weaknesses known; now, thanks to Lee Chae and Jae-hyung’s combo, battles were boringly easy.
Illusion didn’t work on survival/breeding instincts— so killing required piercing crocodile hide with raw physical power.
Haejin used Lamia fights to test: Seo-geon (S-rank illusion) messed with brain while Jae-hyung probed— gathering data on effective attacks for new skills.
“Doing good?”
—Obviously. Not our first. But Lamia seems depressed today.
“Poor thing.”
—Not gonna ask why?
“Do I need to care about monster feelings?”
—Thought you were obsessed with Lamia?
“My obsession is only Jung Lee Chae and Legion. Need to develop anti-Lamia tech fast—trade for Chae.”
Jae-hyung went quiet. Everyone knew Haejin wasn’t okay, no matter the act. No one spoke it aloud.
Haejin glanced at live-stream cameras.
Need to get hurt a bit today. Why’s Lamia depressed now of all days?
Headquarters stonewalled every search—money, pressure, nothing worked. Only one way left:
Make Jung Lee Chae show himself.
Lee Chae always ran pale-faced when Haejin whined about injuries. Media was perfect bait.
Haejin had invited persistent reporters for live Lamia coverage. If Lee Chae hadn’t left the country— he’d be watching somewhere.
Haejin cast full defense spheres, leaped skyward.
Espers below gaped.
“Crazy? We’re on defense!”
“He has a plan… unless he wants to get hurt on purpose.”
Far back, Jae-hyung tsked internally.
Trying to get injured for the broadcast…
He quickly messaged panicked espers.
—Don’t freak. I’m controlling it. Testing physical damage in full-defense mode— not reckless.
“Ah… makes sense.”
“Necessary then.”
“Classic Legion. Learning a lot today.”
Other guild espers bought the lie, admired Haejin’s “bold experiment.”
Jae-hyung, lying for Legion’s image, privately messaged Jin-woo.
—Hyung, really necessary?
“Don’t know. But no other way to find him. Force him to appear. I get Hae-jin.”
—Careful saying this… but what if Chae-hyung really changed his mind?
Jin-woo couldn’t answer. Only armored Haejin more.
Then—burning smell everywhere. Haejin plummeted.
Smoke looked convincing— espers rushed, shook him. No response.
“Really hurt?”
Jin-woo checked— clothes shredded, skin charred black. Not arrows—burns. Lamia hadn’t attacked; Seo-geon’s disruption prevented it.
Scared me for nothing. Self-inflicted because Lamia wouldn’t cooperate. Crazy bastard.
Jae-hyung, hearing thoughts, sighed deeply.
Two months in small city. Solo office headquarters gave him— only sound of flipping papers.
Noon alarm— Lee Chae set documents down, sighed.
Quiet town, rare monster attacks— surface-perfect life.
Stable income, no hunger worries. Lee-jung happy at school. Parents employed…
But every breath hurt.
He pressed the faded imprint spot. Started as scratching itch— turned to scratches, infection, deeper wounds.
Expressionless, he removed bandage, disinfected, re-bandaged.
When will it heal? Will it ever?
To shake Hae-jin thoughts, he reopened files. Lunchtime—but food stuck in throat. Skipped again, worked.
**[Regional Esper Demand Report.
Letters blurred— tear dropped on paper. Wiped eyes, opened wide— same.
“Ha… why am I like this.”
All his fault. No regeneration—couldn’t stay. Left without goodbye. Justified as love. Selfish.
If I’d told him everything?
No answer.
He clutched chest. Pain sharpened— but he breathed through it.
He’d live. Watch Hae-jin from afar. Cheer silently.
That was his new love.
The guide who vanished sat alone in a quiet office, crying over papers no one would ever see.
Far away— the lunatic bled on live TV, baiting the trap with his own body.
Neither knew how close the end was.
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, The Game of Kings is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : The Game of Kings
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